Fashion’s eco-warriors

MANILA, Philippines - The confluence of green architecture and eco-couture marked the inauguration of the Zuellig Building, this year’s “People’s Choice” awardee in the recent MIPIM Asia awards.  Fashion authorities Rajo Laurel, Dita Sandico-Ong, Lulu Tan Gan and Hollywood-based couturier Angelo Santos displayed their eco-friendly eveningwear collections in the “Glamorously Green” fashion show that featured both the use of sustainable materials and eco-friendly construction techniques.

Rajo Laurel’s collection featured draped fabrics made from native materials such as piña, banana and organic linen and silk, repurposed embroidery, and vintage lace. Drawing inspiration from a “Re-use, Re-interpret, Re-define” theme, Rajo’s pieces are both modern and organic.

As a designer and visionary who has always embraced the use of natural fibers, Dita Sandico-Ong established herself as Philippine fashion’s eco-warrior. In a collection aptly named Busilak, the designer displayed clothes with strong shapes, but that still give the wearer the freedom to interpret and transform her pieces with their own brand of originality.

Lulu Tan Gan, the country’s pioneer designer in original indigenous couture, beautifully merges the sophistication of Filipino artisan craft with contemporary design. Her garments are woven by hand, colored in an earthy palette, and inspired by clothes tested by time, tribe, and tradition.

Filipino-American multi-awarded designer Angelo Santos, known for his eco-couture red carpet gowns, presented gowns that used sustainable materials such as silk fabric produced by stress-free silkworms, and personally crafted each of his gowns, down to the last hook and eye, to ensure that only sustainable construction and materials are used.  Taking its cue from nature, Angelo’s collection reflected the designer’s ultimate philosophy that the red carpet can be green and glamorous at the same time.

The Zuellig Building’s partnership with like-minded fashion designers demonstrates that the confluence of state-of-the-art design and eco-responsibility is not just a vision of the developers, but a reality. Eco- couture can also be glamorously green.